SHOCK DAMPER FOR A BOAT

Abstract: The invention relates to a shock damper for a boat, which is located below and in front of the bow rib of a boat and serves as a device for damping the shocks or impacts generated by waves. The shock damper includes a spring plate (1), extending in the longitudinal direction of a boat and fastened flexibly to the bottom of the fore section of a boat and curving obliquely upwards in front of the bow rib of a boat. The leading end of the spring plate (1) is fitted with an impact plate or ski (2) mounted by means of a pivot hinge (7).

Description: Shock damper for a boat The present invention relates to a shock damper for a boat, which is mounted below and in front of the bow of a boat and serves as a device for damping the shocks or impacts genera¬ ted by waves. This type of shock damper is prior known from the Patent publication US-3,641 ,963. This prior known shock damper is only flexible in the longitudinal direction of a boat and, thus, the line of action does not comply with various forms of waves. The shock damper does not rise effectively on top of the waves but sends the splash water flying on the sides and forward in the air with water falling into the boat. An object of the invention is to provide a shock damper for a boat, which does not impair the handling characteristics of a boat yet serves effectively as a shock damper by lift- ing the bow up before the bow hits the water, thus reducing also the side splashes produced by waves hitting the sides of the bow. A second object of the invention is to provide an improved shock damper, which eliminates the forward flying of splash water and rises or tends to rise on top of the wave by adapting itself to the surface of waves having varying shapes. A particular additional object of the invention is to pro¬ vide a shock damper, which serves as a shock damper over an extensive area both within the bow and forward part of the bottom, i.e. within the area which is not in contact with water in normal driving. The shock damper must be flexible in a manner that protects a boat from vibration in view of providing a pleasant ride. These objects are achieved on the basis of the characteriz¬ ing features set forth in the appended claims. The scope of protection is defined on the basis of the independent claim 1 or 4 and the non-independent claims disclose preferred embodiments for carrying out the invention. One exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be de¬ scribed in more detail with reference made to the accompany¬ ing drawings, in which fig. 1 shows a side view of the fore part of a boat pro¬ vided with a shock damper of the invention; fig. 2 shows a section along a line II-II in fig. 1, and fig. 3 shows alternative cross-sectional shapes for a shock damper as a section along a line III-III in fig. 1. To the bottom of a boat, below the bow section is fastened by means of bolts 5 a leaf spring 1 , which is made of a fiber-reinforced plastic, a so-called composite material. Fitted between the spring 1 and the bottom of a boat are vibration absorbing rubber pads 3 as well as mounting strips 4 which are fastened to the bottom of a boat by means of bolts or screws 6. The mounting strips 4 facilitate the attachment of a shock damper to bottoms of various shapes. The spring 1 has its leading end curving upwards but gently enough to diverge from the bow rib of a boat. The leading end of the spring 1 is provided with a pivot hinge 7 for mounting an impact plate or ski 2 whose material and shape can be the same as those of the curved leading section of the spring 1. The cross-sectional shape of the leading end of the spring 1 and that of the ski 2 is a shallow trough whose edges 1a are directed downwards or obliquely down¬ wards. Fig. 3 illustrates a few examples of possible cross- sectional shapes. The spring 1 and the ski 2 may have a width which is within the range of 100-250 mm, typically within the range of 150-200 mm. The edges 1a may have a height which is e.g. 30 mm. The dimensions are correspond- ingly larger in larger boats. At the mounting points 4 said spring 1 may be in a flat shape without downwards extending edges 1a. The spring 1 and the ski 2 are located along the centre line of a boat in the longitudinal direction thereof. The ski 2 is freely pivotable and the hinge point 7 is located slightly above the median line whereby, during the driving, the air pressure and/or waves keep the ski 2 in an inclined impact position, wherein its tail end rests against a rubber pad 9 secured to the bottom surface of the spring 1. Between the leading end of the spring 1 and the bow of a boat is fit ' d a spring 8, which supports the leading end of the spring 1 and together with the spring 1 provides a shock receiving spring force. At rest, the ski 2 is capable of pivoting to an upright position. When a high wave hits the ski, the ski turns into alignment with the side of the wave and the spring 1 bends towards the bow of a boat whereby the ski rises on top of the wave rather than tries to split the wave. At the same time the side edges 1a curb the sideways flying of splashes. When docking a boat, said ski 2 and spring 1 function as an impact protector. When reversing, the ski 2 is able to pivot in such a manner that its tail end glides along the surface of water. In the upright position, the ski remains under¬ neath the foremost section of a boat and, thus, the ski is not in the way when entering or leaving a boat. The curvature of the leading end of the leaf spring 1 and the position of the ski 2 are selected in such a manner that, when driving in calm water, the leading end of the spring 1 and the ski 2 are above the surface of water. The curved leading section of the leaf spring 1 and the tail end of the ski 2 take up low waves. High waves reach also above the hinge 7 included in the ski 2. When leaning against the rubber pad, the ski 2 forms an angle relative to the longi¬ tudinal direction of a boat, said angle being within the range of 30°-60°. The invention is not limited to the above exemplary embodi¬ ment but the structural details may vary in may ways within the scope of the appended claims. Even though the hinged ski 2 is preferred in the case of high waves, the invention functions even without it by virtue of the position, curva- ture and flexibility of the leaf spring 1.

Claims: Claims 1. A shock damper for a boat, which is located below and in front of the bow rib of a boat and serves as a device for damping the shocks or impacts generated by waves, c h a r ¬ a c t e r i z e d in that the shock damper includes a spring plate (1), extending in the longitudinal direction of a boat and fastened at several points flexibly to the bottom of the fore section and/or to the bow rib of a boat and curving within the bow rib area of a boat obliquely upwards in such a manner that the distance from the bow of a boat increases when progressing forward. 2. A shock damper as set forth in claim 1, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that the leading end of said spring plate (1) is fitted with an impact plate or ski (2) mounted by means of a pivot hinge (7). 3. A shock damper as set forth in claim 1 or 2, c h a r ¬ a c t e r i z e d in that the curved leading section of the spring plate (1) and/or the impact plate or ski (2) are in the shape of a shallow trough provided with edges (1a) which are directed downwards or obliquely downwards. 4. A shock damper for a boat, which is located below and in front of the bow rib of a boat and serves as a device for damping the shocks or impacts generated by waves, c h a r ¬ a c t e r i z e d in that the shock damper includes a spring plate (1) whose trailing end is fastened to the bottom of the fore section of a boat and whose leading end is fitted with an impact plate or ski (2) mounted by means of a pivot hinge (7). 5. A shock damper as set forth in claim 4, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that the cross-section of said spring plate (1) and/or said impact plate or ski (2) is in the shape of a shallow trough and that the leading end of the spring plate curves upwards, the curvature being neverthe¬ less so gentle that the distance between the spring plate (1) and the bow of a boat increases when progressing for¬ ward. 6. A shock damper as set forth in claim 4 or 5, c h a r ¬ a c t e r i z e d in that the spring plate (1) is fastened to the bottom of a boat through the intermediary of flexible elements (3, 8) . 7. A shock damper as set forth in any of claims 1-6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the spring plate (1 ) is made of a composite material and its leading end is fastened to the bow of a boat by means of the flexible element (8). 8. A shock damper as set forth in any of claims 1-7, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the spring plate (1 ) is fastened to mounting strips (4), which in turn are fastened to the bottom of a boat. 9. A shock damper as set forth in claim 2 or 4, c h a r ¬ a c t e r i z e d in that in the rest condition said impact plate or ski (2) is in a substantially upright position, from which it pivots to an inclined impact position through the action of air pressure and/or waves.

Inventors: PASANEN PERTTI, PASANEN, PERTTI
Applicants: PASANEN PERTTI, PASANEN, PERTTI
Application year: 1994
Main classification: B63B1
IPC codes: B63B1, B63B39